Acharya Prashant explains the concept of 'Jhunnulal', a term he uses to represent the 'little man' or the 'common man', which is essentially the ego of the common person. He bases his explanation on Wilhelm Reich's book, "Listen, Little Man!". He states that Jhunnulal is not a distant concept but is present within everyone. The common man is Jhunnulal, and his common ego is what is being referred to. He emphasizes that the topic is important because it directly relates to us, as we are all that common man. Acharya Prashant reads excerpts from the book to illustrate the nature of the little man. The author addresses the little man, urging him to look at himself as he truly is, without running away. However, the little man reacts with defiance, questioning the author's right to tell him things. This reaction stems from a fear of looking at oneself and a fear of criticism. The speaker contrasts the little man with the great man, explaining that the great man was also once a little man but developed the crucial ability to see his own smallness in thought and action. This self-awareness is driven by a deep love for something dear to him, which makes him sense the threat posed by his own pettiness. For the sake of this love, the great man is willing to overcome his smallness. The little man, on the other hand, is not only unaware of his smallness but is also afraid of knowing it. He conceals his pettiness behind illusions of his own or others' strength and greatness. When a great man tries to help the little man, the little man cannot comprehend the great man's selflessness and feels threatened. He perceives the great man's compassion as an attack and reacts with hostility, wanting to 'grab him, examine him, and throw him out of the country.' The speaker points out that the little man's entire life revolves around petty tactics, whereas for the great man, truth is paramount. This fundamental difference creates an unbridgeable gap between them. Finally, Acharya Prashant connects this psychological dynamic to historical events, stating that whenever greatness has been murdered, it has been at the hands of a 'Jhunnulal'. He cites the examples of Socrates, Abraham Lincoln, and Mahatma Gandhi, all of whom were killed by the 'small man'. The great man, who takes freedom 'deadly seriously', often has to sacrifice his own greatness to connect with the little men he wishes to help. However, the little man, unable to tolerate greatness, ultimately destroys the very person who comes to liberate him.
